Brittany Muthard Blog

Freshman Brittany Muthard (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) is one of five freshmen for LHU and has seen extensive playing time at the Designated Player position this season.

Today in Texas….this morning started off with breakfast in a secret tunnel! I guess Coaches had been doing some exploring because they found a secret tunnel below the hotel that led right into an office building where there was a Wendys and a sandwich shop that basically had the best breakfast tacos I have ever eaten! Then it was time to suit up once again in our nice crimson uniforms, this time in pants…pants in Texas, yes you read me right, pants in Texas! Piling into the crowded vans was different today since we actually had our iPod hook up, as we sang and danced to our favorite pump up songs. We jumped around and shook the bus like wild animals, and rolled into the parking lot at the field listening to the ever famous Thunderstruck. As soon as we got there and got ready to start warming the NCAA Rep said there was a lightning delay and we would have to remain in the vans for at least a half hour. Needless to say in the back seat I got picked on by my fellow freshman Meri and Dee, as we listened to old school songs, and pumped each other up. Then we finally were able to get out the vans and begin warm-ups but not without any excitement. While we decided Erb needed to wash her gross visor, JJ pulled the laundry enzyme out of the extra gear bag and spilled it everywhere. It was hilarious, and every got a great kick out of it, it increased the positive mood. The game before ours lasted 14 innings and sitting around waiting for someone to score was long and extremely hot. Once we took the field for warm-ups we were psyched and ready to play our hearts out every inning and every pitch, since we had to get through this game to get to the next, which will be the case the rest of the week. So the game began and we got off to an early lead which always helps the momentum of the game. With clutch hits and great defense and hitting, we defeated C.W. Post and extended our season for at least another day! After another inspirational talk from coach we stayed for the game that followed ours to scout our competition for tomorrows game. We had fun as we all sat together and rehydrated ourselves, and joked around with one another. I got put to sleep a few times, thanks for inventing the game DB, I’m the biggest target! Afterwards we ended up at the Hard Rock Café where Ilia was able to persuade coach to increase our limit so they could get dessert, thanks Il. Dinner was great, and after some of the meals that were consumed some of us thought it would help to run back to the hotel, I wonder if it helped…of course Big Britt got a ride back! We ended up back here at the hotel, and we all did our own things, including having some of the parents stop by for a little visit. Now watching TV with my hotel roomies, and anxious for tomorrow, we are all headed to bed so we can play our hearts out for ourselves and all our great fans that are so great at cheering and chanting for us during the games! Goodnight—Big Britt #14

Today in the Lone Star state…after a very exciting opening day yesterday, we woke up this morning, at the absolute latest time possible to get the day started. Roosa, Dianna, and I love our sleep, obviously, while Ilia told us “I like to live my life to the fullest,” after we were badgering her about waking up early! When we arrived at the field this morning to watch the first game of the National tournament, my heart was pounding, it seemed so unreal, I was really in Texas, and I was getting ready to compete in my first college national game, an experience that only comes along to those who are fortunate enough to be a part of a team such as ours. The bleachers were full as kids from local schools, I suppose, were cheering for the teams playing, and the atmosphere was completely positive and competitive. I have to admit as I was sitting there watching the game I just wanted to walk onto that field and get our game started, I was so ready to play and I know my teammates were pumped as well. The feeling of actually being apart of something so memorable continued and intensified even after we left and went back to the hotel to get changed and prepared for our game. While getting dressed in our favorite crimson uniforms in the hotel room, I knew today would be like no other, emotions were running high and everyone was psyched to get the first game out of the way in hopes of gaining momentum towards a successful week. After eating the tastiest Quiznos sandwich for lunch, which is one of our favorite places to eat, right Gut? We headed to the field in hopes the rain would stop so we could play, and began warm-ups in the seemingly increasing humidity. The weather didn’t seem to bother anyone as everyone continued to cheer each other on, and work hard to get ready for the game. I think Dev said she felt extremely slow trying to cut through the thick humidity, but I felt like a champ during sprints, I was ready for game time. During warm-ups Erb was getting videotaped..a lot...it really didn’t seem to bother her at all, she did her thing as she always does, and right before we left we were cheering her on obnoxiously, and as soon as the camera guy got into Ilia’s face I never heard her so speechless before, which is a big deal! Ilia without words…simply a miracle! So we walked the long trail between the practice field to the game field and did our typical pre-game activities. We were all excited that we were able to do thunderstruck, something we usually only get to do at our home field, so I felt right at home and comfortable in the crazy atmosphere we were in. During thunderstruck, even with a couple of slip ups and miscues, we still finished before the song was over so I knew it would be a good game till the end. With cameras and fans all around the moment instantly became imprinted in my mind, and I knew all we had to do was compete against the opposing team, whoever was daring enough to show up. Through six exciting innings, and being down a run, we were once faced with the pressure of posting a run in the top of the seventh to even stay in the game. Standing on deck, I don’t remember sweating so much as I watched Devin fouled of pitch after pitch. I saw at that moment so much drive and heart from her, one of my captains, and was ecstatic when she placed a bomb right over the fence to tie the game! I was never nervous, but anxious definitely, I’m finally here, at the National tournament and now I want to be a big part of our success down here, even though I didn’t have my best day, I didn’t lose faith in myself or my teammates, I know we are all prepared and talented enough to be here, so even after ten innings of intense competition and a tally mark in the losers column for us, I know that it only made us a better team, and made us more prepared for the games ahead of us. Coach told us not to get frustrated because we still have a ton of work to do, and games to win, it will only take more wins to get to our final destination, the National Championship game, so that’s what we are now focused on. Not our performance today or in the past, but what we can control in the future and what we bring everyday to that field. Erb said during opening ceremonies that she wasn’t leaving Texas without the championship trophy, so I’m sure we will work our hardest to bring it back to Lock Haven, because I don’t think Texas is ready for Kristin Erb! Rest is setting in for the night for all of us, because there is a ton of work to be done in the next few days, we will come out and play Lock Haven softball, you can count on it!

Today in Texas…wait are we really in Texas? We have to be, it’s so humid and everything we encounter seems exaggerated! This morning, well rested and anxious, I crawled out of the comfortable bed at our luxurious hotel and joined my teammates as we travelled to a construction site, where we joined other teams to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity. I must say we all looked the part with our tool aprons, gloves, and fashionable hard hats! We sure do have a good looking team, and very caring as well. As we waited around to start the project I heard numerous teammates discuss how excited they were to build the house, because they knew we were changing someone’s life who might be less fortunate then ourselves. I too smiled at the fact that our hard work building the house would have an impact on an individual or family who we have never met before. It doesn’t matter who we were helping we, we were contributing to a great cause and we were in it together, which encouraged all of us to do our best at something we have never done before. Even though sometimes frustrating, because a lot of our walls seemed to be too long and we all were learning how to use all the power tools, which by the way Devin is very handy with, we were able to overcome adversity and still put up the walls successfully. I must admit, watching some of my teammates use power tools was very entertaining, and I stayed far enough away just for my own safety, but let me tell you along with Devin, Roosa is mean with a cement gun! It was humid, but the time flew as we built and laughed along with our project leaders, Norman and Richard! After our allotted time expired some of us were sad to leave the building site, because we wanted to see the finished product, but we all knew we didn’t want to see it that bad, because we weren’t planning on coming back because we were going to win the rest of the week! After a quick lunch break, which was eventful since the Subway staff tried to take down the $5 dollar footlong signs right in front of us half way through our orders, and tell us they don’t honor it anymore, we headed to Memorial Park for a quick practice. Let me just say the balls were flying off the bat on the game field and gloves were popping hard as we had a solid practice. While I was fielding during batting practice and watching line drives and homeruns being hit by my teammates, I was ambushed by racing thoughts about how well I know we will do this week and how blessed I am to be apart of it. Last year as a senior in high school, I followed the Lock Haven softball team through their journey through PSACS, Regionals, and Nationals, and to think that I am now playing with these girls at this level, makes me proud to say I am a Lock Haven eagle, and yes has even brought big bad Britt to tears a few times. I’ve been told by my parents numerous times to just enjoy it and take it all in because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and not many college athletes can say that they had the chance to compete at a National tournament, especially not in Texas! So that’s what I’ve been doing, after practice a few of us went swimming in the outdoor pool, which was refreshing and warm. Plus we even stayed in while it started to rain a bit, we’re in Texas, it’s ok to do that mom! After that we all got ready for the opening ceremonies at the Houston Aquarium. It was great, we got there and immediately started to walk around and see all the animals. I think everyone liked the two white tigers the most, but I must say I spent a lot of time petting the stingrays and sand sharks, which some teammates were a little on edge about doing, right Ilia? So after we toured the aquarium we went outside and got into line for some food, it was a little high class, and not something I would eat every day, plus it was all on a stick?! So Frank, JJ, and I thought that was our dinner and were a little disappointed, but then we found out that there was a third floor with food just for us…I’m pretty sure we sprinted up the stairs to get it! Little did we know we would have to stand in line for more than an hour to get a plate full of food. I hopped lines a few times, until I finally just picked the shortest line and thought I would get food quicker, I was wrong, an hour and a few dance songs later, I finally got my food and sat down. The band was good and the food was alright, not as good as the $7.00 hotel sandwich I’m eating now though. Oh by the way about five people after me in line witnessed a table fire as the man was having trouble lighting the skillet, well he didn’t have a problem lighting the table on fire, that was interesting to watch, no harm done though. After winning some prizes by playing park games we all sat outside for the opening commencement speeches and welcoming ceremony. Sarah and Ilia worked the band as they were the only two on the dance floor head-banging and dancing like the crazy people we all know they are! When the guest speaker, Mrs. Jones, a previous NCAA athlete and successful business woman got up to speak about her experience with the NCAA and its impact on her life, I never listened so intently to anything. She mentioned things that are really told to us everyday by parents and coaches, but don’t really sink in until put into an environment where their words mean so much more. She said take pictures, have fun, take it all in, and when it’s time to compete, just compete. There shouldn’t be any nerves involved because if we didn’t have the ability to be here we wouldn’t, those words never meant so much to me, I feel relaxed and 1000% ready to just compete side by side with my teammates. Really, Texas? There is no feeling like this, I am so happy to be here and I know tomorrow will be another great day, I meant of course it will, it’s game day, and we’re in Texas BABY!!!

Goodnight----Big Britt #14